DefenceTalkRussia said Monday it had ordered troops near the border with Ukraine to return to their bases, just days ahead of a crucial presidential vote aimed at bringing the country out of deep crisis. In a move that could ease tensions, President Vladimir Putin’s office said he had ordered thousands of troops deployed in border […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-orders-troops-back-to-bases-ahead-of-ukraine-vote-59638/

DefenceTalkAccording to the German magazine Spiegel, NATO is examining scenarios in the event of a Russian military move in Eastern Europe. Alarm bells are already ringing in eastern states, and NATO is keen to show it could cope. The article, which appeared in Spiegel’s online edition in German on Sunday, cites an internal North Atlantic […]https://www.defencetalk.com/spiegel-nato-unprepared-if-russia-moved-into-baltic-members-59621/

DefenceTalkThe United States has begun a new military exercise with Estonia amid no indication of a Russian troop pullback from its border with Ukraine. Pentagon Spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren announced today that Exercise Spring Storm began earlier this week. At the same time, he said there has been no change in the Russian posture […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-announces-more-exercises-with-east-european-allies-partners-59545/

DefenceTalkUS sanctions against the Russian space industry are actually targeted against another competitor of the Americans – European companies, a source in the Russian space and rocket sector told Interfax-AVN on Wednesday. “Formally the US sanctions impede the export of dual- and military-purpose technology to Russia. However, it is evident that a ready satellite does […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-sanctions-against-russias-space-industry-affect-europeans-59538/

DefenceTalkRussia plans to reinforce its Black Sea Fleet based in Crimea, which it annexed from Ukraine in March, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday. “This year, the Black Sea fleet will receive (new) submarines and new-generation ships,” Shoigu said in televised comments, without giving details of numbers. New air defense units will also be […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-to-reinforce-crimea-fleet-minister-59507/

DefenceTalkNATO’s troop build-up in Eastern Europe amid tensions with Russia over Ukraine could become permanent, the military alliance’s top general said Tuesday. NATO countries drew down their defense budgets following the end of the Cold War, as they started to look upon Russia as a partner, US General Philip Breedlove said. But Russia’s “annexation of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eastern-europe-troop-surge-could-become-permanent-general-59504/

DefenceTalkUkraine’s armed forces are on “full combat alert” against a possible Russian invasion, Kiev said Wednesday, as authorities admitted they were “helpless” to prevent pro-Kremlin insurgents tightening their grip on the increasingly chaotic east of the country. Rebels stormed the regional police building and town hall in the eastern Ukrainian city of Gorlivka, local officials […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ukraine-on-combat-alert-as-rebels-gain-ground-59470/

DefenceTalkAs China boosts its military spending, rattling neighbors over territorial disputes at sea, an AFP investigation shows that European countries have approved billions in transfers of weapons and military-ready technology to the Asian giant. China’s air force relies on French-designed helicopters, while submarines and frigates involved in Beijing’s physical assertion of its claim to vast […]https://www.defencetalk.com/eu-firms-help-power-chinas-military-rise-59468/

DefenceTalkRussia has the world’s second-ranked military after former Cold War foe the United States. The armed forces in Ukraine, a former republic in the ex-Soviet Union, are much, much smaller. But numbers don’t tell the whole story. Other factors come into play in weighing which side might get the upper hand should war break out […]https://www.defencetalk.com/ukraine-vs-russia-military-mismatch-but-does-that-mean-no-contest-59408/

DefenceTalkCanada is deploying six CF-18 fighter jets to Eastern Europe as part of NATO’s response to the worsening crisis in Ukraine, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Thursday. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Ukraine was on the brink of civil war, stoking fears of outright Russian intervention. NATO has increased air sorties and additional navy ships […]https://www.defencetalk.com/canada-sends-fighter-jets-to-eastern-europe-59366/